Combination lock mechanism



Aug. @9 E95@ n. Mmmm COMBINATION LOCK MECHNISM Filed Jan 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w d L u l INVENTOR. HOLLOW D. KIMBALL 4 BY n A n His ATTORNEY FIG, IO

Aug. 9, i966 n. n. KIMBALL COMBINATION LOCK MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8. 1962 INVENTR. ROLLOW D. KMBALL. BY W HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,264,851 CMBINATIGN LOCK MECHANISM lRolloW D. Kimball, 3340 West 3500 South, Granger, Utah Filed Jan. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 164,932 8 Claims. (Cl. 70-312) The present invention relates to combination locks and, more particularly, to a new and improved combination lock mechanism of a multiple-drum character, usable in a variety of contexts, wherein the various drums utilized may be set to give simultaneously the entire combination of the lock mechanism so that the same may be either released or made to engage.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved combination lock mechanism of the multiple-drum or dial type wherein the drums thereof may be set to give a simultaneous reading of the specific combination of the lock, and this whether the combination be in numeral, letter or other form.

A further object of the invention is to provide a multiple-drum combination lock usable in a variety of contexts, such as for brief cases, cabinets and drawers, gasoline tank locks, elongated connector locks, such as for boat and airplane tie-ups, and so forth.

A further object is to provide a multiple-drum type lock which is very inexpensive to manufacture and which may be fabricated in inexpensive molds.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a rst form of a lock mechanism according to the present invention wherein the same incorporates eyemounts and chain lengths at extremities thereof.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded View of the lock mechanism of FIGURE 1 wherein the shank and right-hand numeral drum, integrally related in the lock structure, are separated for clarity.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section, is similar to FIGURE 2, but now shows the right-hand drum member as an integral unit with its shank and lug means.

FIGURE 4 shows the disengaged lock mechanism of FIGURE 3 as now being engaged.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken along any one of the lines 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a transverse section taken along the lines 6--6 in FIGURE 2, a transverse section taken along the line 6A-6A would be identical, except that in the latter case a central aperture would be present.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded view in elevation of a lock according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section of the lock mechanism shown in FIGURE 7 with the right end portion assembled.

FIGURE 9 is a section of the lock, shown disengaged Patented August 9, 1966 ice FIGURE 12 is a transverse section taken along the lines 12-12 in FIGURE 7; transverse sections taken along the lines 12A- 12A and 12B-12B would be substantially identical thereto, excepting that in the latter two instances respective central apertures would be present.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a brief case incorporating one type of combination lock mechanism according to the present invention.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged section of one portion of the lock mechanism as shown in FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective View of both a cabinet and self-contained drawer incorporating the lock mechanism of the present invention.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged detail, shown in section, of a portion of the locking structure and mounting structure therefore in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged view, partially in section, taken along the lines 17-17 in FIGURE 15.

In FIGURES 1 and 2 the combination lock 10 is shown to include drum members 11, 12 and 13. Drum member 11 includes a drum head 14 provided with plural, successive character indicia 15 disposed progressively about the periphery thereof. Drum member 11 also includes a shank 16 and a lug portion 17, the latter having peripheral lug means 18 integral with shank 16 at one end 16 thereof. The remaining end 16" of shank 16 is press-fitted,

rglued or otherwise aixed to head portion 14 as shown at 19 in FIGURE 3.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, each of the drum members 12 and 13 also include numerical (or conceivably letter) indicia 15 disposed regularly and progressively around the periphery thereof.

In FIGURE 2 it is shown that the drum member 12 includes a lug portion 2li having lug means 21. Further, l

it is shown in FIGURE 3 that the drum member 12 is revolvably mounted to and disposed about shank 16 so that it may be rotationally displaced with respect to drum member 11.

Drum member 13 is interiorly relieved at 22 and includes interior, annular grooves 23 and 24 for receiving the respective lng means 18 and 21. Passageways 25 provide for the selective aligned insertion and withdrawal of the lug means 18 and 21. It is of course necessary that the lug means 18 and 21 both pass through their respective portions of passageways 25 in order that the former may be turned into the respective grooves 23 and 24 for locking purposes.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the condition when the combination lock mechanism 10 is closed or in locked condition.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the situation wherein plural passage ways 25 are provided to delineate plural rib segments 26, 27 and 28. Depending upon usage, there may be one, two or even more passageways 25 as FIGURE 5 indicates. Correspondingly, the number of lugs (29, 30 and 31 in FIGURE 6) Will be determined by the number of passageways 25 in FIGURE 5. The spacing of the lugs of lug means 18 and 21 as shown in FIGURE 6 is deemed advisable in many instances so as to insure complete retentivity of the lock mechanism so as not to enable the prying apart of the lock mechanism even though the same were made of a soft plastic material, for example.

FIGURES 1 through 6 illustrate a turnbnckle type device which includes eyemounts 32 and 33. As shown in FIGURE 3 a washer 34 and pin 35 may be used to secure eyemount 32 to drum member 13 in a swiveling connection. Eyernount 33 may either be rigidly affixed to drum member 11 as shown, or may be secured to drum member 11 in a second swivel connection similar to that shown in connection with eyemount 32. In the event of the inclusion of such eyemounts, then chain lengths 36 and 37, comprising a boat or airplane tie, for example, may be locked together by the device 10. Where the combination of the lock mechanism is in the line, then the lug means 18 and 21 will be in alignment with `their respective passageways so as to release the lock mechanism as shown in FIGURE 3.

In FIGURES 7 through 12 is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention wherein, this time, the combination lock mechanism includes four drum members 38, 39, and 41. Each of the drum members respectively include drum heads 42, 43, 44 and 45. Drum member 38 also includes a shank 46 and a lug portion 47 integral therewith at one extremity thereof. Remaining extremity 48 is press-fitted, glued or otherwise affixed to drum head 42. Lug portion 49 is integral with hollow shank 50 and the remaining extremity of the latter is press-fitted, glued or otherwise axed to the drum head 43.

Correspondingly, drum head 44 is provided with a lug portion 51, and all of the lug portions 47, 49 and 51 include respective lug means 52, 53 and 54.

By virtue of the tubular construction shown in FIG- URE 9 it' will be seen that any number of discs and multi-number combinations may be used in the construction of the lock. Drum member 41 includes plural grooves 55 for receiving respective ones of the lug means 52, 53 and 54 as shown in FIGURE 9. Passageways 56 provide access, admittance and release for the various lug means 52, 53 and 54. Where there is more than one passageway as at 56 in FIGURE 11, then plural rib segment 57, 58, and 59 are formed thereby. While conceivably but one rib segment and one associated passageway might,

be used, it is preferred that there be a number such as 3 shown in FIGURE 11 so that lock mechanisms even made of soft material will not be pried off.

FIGURE 10 illustrates each of the drum members having disposed on their respective drum heads character indicia 58, with selected ones of the same being aligned in a unique combination for releasing (or locking) the device so that the lug means 52, 53 and 54 may be advanced out (or into) respective passageway or passageways 56.

In FIGURES 13 and 14 is illustrated a spring loaded locking mechanism for a brief case, for example, Brief case 60 is provided with a plate 61 which mounts rod 62 portion 63 of which slideably mounts the drum member 13. Plate 64 retained by C-congured retainer 65 so as to provide a backing for compression spring 66. It will be observed, therefore, that when the locking mechanism 10 is opened, i.e. pathways 25 -are aligned with their respective lugs, then the compression spring 66 will urge drum member 13 to the left in FIGURE 14 so as to disengage positively the lock mechanism.

In FIGURES 15, 16, and 17 the cabinet 67 includes a slideable drawer 63 to which is mounted, as shown, a plate 69 having a horizontally-and-vertically disposed bracket 70. A rivet, pin, or other means 71 preferably pivotally secures drum member 13 (see FIGURE 1) to bracket 70. Correspondingly, a rivet, pin or other means 72 secures drum members 11 and 12 (see FIGURE 1) to the front face 73 of lcabinet 67. Thus, the lock mechanism 10 of FIGURE 15 may take either the form shown in FIGURE 1, minus the eyemounts 32 and 33, or conceivably may include the spring 74 and plate 75 soldered thereto as shown in FIGURE 16, with the lock mechanism now being designated as 10. Thus, the pressure spring 74 will tend to thrust the drawer 68 outwardly when the various lugs 29, 30 and 31 (see FIGURE 6) are in alignment with their respective pathways 25.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications 4f may be made without departing from this invention in its 'broader aspects, and, therefore the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A combination lock mechanism, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia disposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also -a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof 'being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said tirst and second drum members from said third drum member.

2. A combination lock mechanism including, in corn- Ibination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia disposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being s o arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and said another drum members from said third drum member, and wherein said combination lock mechanism includes a compression spring abutting asid third` drum member, reaction means abutting said spring interiorly of said third drum member, and elongate means affixed to said reaction means and passing outwardly from said third drum member through said compression spring.

3. A combination lock mechanism including, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia disposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of` both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and said another drum members from said third drum member, and wherein said lock mechanism includes respective eyemounts, adapted for engagement with elongate connectors, secured to and protruding from said one and said third drum members.

4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein at least one of said eyemounts is aixed to its respective drum member in a pivotal connection.

S. A combination lock mechanism including, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia disposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respect-ive drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and said another drum members from said third drum member, and wherein compression spring means is cooperably disposed between said third drum member and said lug portion of said one drum member to thrust said third and said one drum member apart when said lug means are in alignment with said passageway means.

6. A combination lock mechanism including, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia deposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum thereof being mutually .adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when seletced ones of said character indi-cia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and said another drum members from said third drum member, and wherein said combination lock mechanism also includes pivot means axially pivotally secured to said third drum member to permit the latter to rotate freely about its axis, said pivot means being adapted for securement to an external member.

7. A combination lock mechanism including, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia deposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of said shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including -a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum lmember shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will Ibe in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and s-aid another drum members from said third drum member, and wherein said combination lock mechanism also includes pivot means axially pivotally secured to said rst drum member to permit the latter to rotate freely about its axis, said pivot means being adapted for securement to an external member.

8. A combination lock mechanism including, in combination, a plurality of rotatable drum members each including a drum head having successive character indicia deposed progressively about the periphery thereof, one of said drum members including a shank, integral at one end thereof with its respective drum head, and also a lug portion, integral with the remaining end of s-aid shank and having peripheral lug means, another of said drum members including a lug portion having peripheral lug means, said another drum member being revolvably mounted upon said one drum member shank with the lug portions of both of these drum members being mutually adjacent and the drum heads thereof being mutually adjacent also, the lug means of both of said one and another drum members being spaced apart, a third of said drum members being interiorly relieved and having interior, mutually spaced, annular grooves selectively and retentively receiving said lug means and also having elongate, communicating, interior passageway means for admitting said lug means into and releasing said lug means from said grooves, respectively, said character indicia being so arranged about their respective drum heads that when selected ones of said character indicia, disposed upon said drum heads, are in linear alignment, to be read together, said lug means will be in alignment with said interior passageway means to permit the release of said one and said another drum members form said third drum member, -and wherein said first and third drum members each have pivot means axially pivotally secured to their respective drum heads to permit the pivotal 8 Masters.

Pursell 70-22 Hay 70-25 Hi ginbotham.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

ALBERT H. KAMPE, Examiner.

6/1890 Aitemus 70-312 10 B. R. GAY,AssisfamExaminer. 

1. A COMBINATION LOCK MECHANISM, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF ROTATABLE DRUM MEMBERS EACH INCLUDING A DRUM HEAD HAVING SUCCESSIVE CHARACTER INDICIA DISPOSED PROGRESSIVELY ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, ONE OF SAID DRUM MEMBERS INCLUDING A SHANK, INTEGRAL AT ONE END THEREOF WITH ITS RESPECTIVE DRUM HEAD, AND ALSO A LUG PORTION, INTEGRAL WITH THE REMAINING END OF SAID SHANK AND HAVING PERIPHERAL LUG MEANS, ANOTHER OF SAID DRUM MEMBERS INCLUDING A LUG PORTION HAVING PERIPHERAL LUG MEANS, SAID ANOTHER DRUM MEMBER BEING REVOLVABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID ONE DRUM MEMBER SHANK WITH THE LUG PORTIONS OF BOTH OF THESE DRUM MEMBERS BEING MUTUALLY ADJACENT AND THE DRUM HEADS THEREOF BEING MUTUALLY ADJACENT ALSO, THE LUG MEANS OF BOTH OF SAID ONE AND ANOTHER DRUM MEMBERS BEING SPACED APART, A THIRD OF SAID DRUM MEMBERS BEING INTERIORLY RELIEVED AND HAVING INTERIOR, MUTUALLY SPACED, ANNULAR GROOVES SELECTIVELY AND RETENTIVELY RECEIVING SAID LUG MEANS AND ALSO HAVING ELONGATE, COMMUNICATING, INTERIOR PASSAGEWAY MEANS FOR ADMITTING SAID LUG MEANS INTO AND RELEASING SAID LUG MEANS FROM SAID GROOVES, RESPECTIVELY, SAID CHARACTER INDICIA BEING SO ARRANGED ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE DRUM HEAD THAT WHEN SELECTED ONES OF SAID CHARACTER INDICIA, DISPOSED UPON SAID DRUM HEADS, ARE IN LINEAR ALIGNMENT, TO BE READ TOGETHER, SAID LUG MEANS WILL BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID INTERIOR PASSAGEWAY MEANS TO PERMIT THE RELEASE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND DRUM MEMBERS FROM SAID THIRD DRUM MEMBER. 